Jussie Smollett: Empire actor says 'I just want to get on with my work’ after all charges against him are dropped

Jussie Smollett today thanked fans for their support and said he "just wants to get on with work" after all charges against him were dropped.

Lawyers acting for the US actor on Tuesday said charges alleging he lied to police about a hate crime attack against him had been dropped.

Smollett, 36, had faced up to 48 years behind bars on 16 felony counts of filing a false police report.

The Empire actor was accused of lying to police about being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack on January 29.

He appeared at a court in Chicago for an emergency hearing today where it was announced that all charges against him had been dropped.

Speaking after the hearing, Smollett said: "I want to thank my family, my friends, the incredible people of the city of Chicago who have shown me so much love.

"I have been truthful and consistent from day one.

"This has been an incredibly difficult time - one of the worst of my life.

"I want to thank the state of Illinois for attempting to do what's right.

"I would now like nothing more than to just to get on with my work and move on with my life."

His lawyers Tina Glandian and Patricia Brown Holmes said in a statement on Tuesday morning that his record had "been wiped clean".

"He was a victim who was vilified," they added.

Police and prosecutors had said the black and gay actor falsely reported to authorities that he was attacked in downtown Chicago because he was unhappy with his pay on the Fox show and to promote his career.

Smollett's lawyers said on Tuesday: "Today, all criminal charges against Jussie Smollett were dropped and his record has been wiped clean of the filing of this tragic complaint against him.

"Jussie was attacked by two people he was unable to identify on January 29. He was a victim who was vilified and made to appear as a perpetrator as a result of false and inappropriate remarks made to the public causing an inappropriate rush to judgement.

"Jussie and many others were hurt by these unfair and unwarranted actions. This entire situation is a reminder that there should never be an attempt to prove a case in the court of public opinion. That is wrong. It is a reminder that a victim, in this case Jussie, deserves dignity and respect.

"Dismissal of charges against the victim in this case was the only just result.

"Jussie is relieved to have this situation behind him and is very much looking forward to getting back to focusing on his family, friends and career."

Smollett, who plays Jamal Lyon on the Fox TV show, reported that he had been attacked on his way home from a sandwich shop.

The actor said two masked men shouted racial and anti-gay slurs, beat him and shouted, "This is MAGA country" - a reference to US President Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" campaign slogan.

Police said Smollett hired two men to attack him. Smollett was accused of paying the men $3,500.

A spokeswoman for Cook County prosecutors did not immediately respond to messages requesting comment.